Osage Nation Broadband Infrastructure Investment Now Exceeds $72 Million
The Osage Nation has secured $17,554,800 through the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service ReConnect Program (USDA/RUS Reconnect 5) to expand high-speed broadband infrastructure across unserved and underserved areas within the Osage Nation Reservation.
“This $17.5 million award is a transformative investment in expanding reliable broadband access across our reservation,” said Osage Nation Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear. “It reflects the dedication and hard work of our Osage Nation team, whose efforts made this opportunity possible. I am deeply grateful for their commitment and proud of what this funding will allow us to achieve for our communities.”
This competitive award supports a five-year investment in critical infrastructure that will bring reliable internet access to homes, businesses, and community institutions. The project will strengthen economic opportunity, enhance educational access, improve healthcare connectivity, and improve the quality of life for everyone on the Osage Nation Reservation.
“This investment represents more than infrastructure; it reflects the Osage Nation’s commitment to building a future where our people are fully connected to opportunity,” said Osage Nation Department of Grants, Contracts, & Compliance (DGCC) Director Christa Unap Fulkerson. “Through this competitive award, we are not only expanding broadband access but strengthening our sovereignty, supporting our communities, and investing in long-term growth that will benefit generations to come.”
This latest award builds on the Osage Nation’s continued success in securing broadband funding, following prior investments of $40.6 million and $13.9 million. With this addition, the Nation’s total broadband infrastructure investment now exceeds $72 million.
“This award also reflects the Nation’s continued ability to successfully compete for external funding through strong internal coordination, application development, and compliance oversight led and coordinated by our department in close collaboration with the Broadband Department, Osage LLC, and Nation leadership,” Fulkerson continues. “It further demonstrates the system and organizational capacity the Nation has built to successfully support projects of this size and complexity, and the confidence funders have in that capacity. This progress also reflects the support and trust provided by Chief Standing Bear in allowing our department to grow and deliver at a high level, which has strengthened the Nation’s ability to pursue and manage opportunities of this scale.”
The project will install approximately 110 miles of fiber and connect at least 176 locations across the service area. Once complete, the network will deliver reliable internet service with download and upload speeds up to 100 Mbps.
Funding will primarily support broadband infrastructure development, including conduit systems, buried fiber, service connections, and network equipment. It also covers essential components, including engineering, project management, and environmental services, to ensure successful implementation.
About the Osage Nation Department of Grants, Contracts & Compliance
The Osage Nation Department of Grants, Contracts & Compliance (DGCC) serves as the Osage Nation’s central hub for securing, managing, and stewarding all non-Tribal funding sources, including federal, state, foundation, philanthropic, corporate, and private investments. The department provides comprehensive support to Osage Nation Departments and component units throughout the full funding lifecycle - from identifying opportunities and developing competitive applications to negotiating agreements, managing awards, and ensuring compliance and audit readiness. Through this work, DGCC strengthens the Nation’s capacity to leverage external resources, advance strategic priorities, and maintain accountability and transparency across all funded initiatives.